How far is Ithaca, NY from Schenectady, NY?

The driving distance from Ithaca, NY to Schenectady, NY is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km), with a travel time of about 02h 53m by car.

  • The straight-line flight distance is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km).
  • For a round trip, plan for roughly 05h 46m of driving time before adding stops, traffic, or weather delays.
  • A comfortable departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT.
Trip Tools

Reverse, save, or send this route

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination. Copy the route link, send it to another device, or print a clean version before you head out.

Reverse Route
Quick Snapshot
Road
152.35 mi
02h 53m
Flight
132.53 mi
213.28 km direct

This route works well as a day trip with time at the destination.

Learn Distance

Choose another destination from Ithaca.

Flight Distance

Direct air line
132.53 mi
Kilometers
213.28 km
Flight Time
00h 15m

Driving Distance

Road route
152.35 mi
Kilometers
245.19 km
Drive Time
02h 53m

Gas Cost Calculator

Leave and Arrive Planner

Pick a departure time to see your estimated arrival and same-day return window.

Drive time stays fixed at 02h 53m.

Arrival Snapshot
Arrive in Schenectady
Thu, Oct 15, 6:26 PM EDT
Return by in Ithaca
Thu, Oct 15, 9:19 PM EDT
Useful when you're deciding between a quick errand, a day trip, or a longer stop.
Leave Ithaca
2026-10-15T15:33
Arrive Schenectady
Thu, Oct 15, 6:26 PM EDT
Route Timing
02h 53m
One way by road
Best Departure Window
8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT
Aim for a morning departure
Arrive between
10:53 AM to 12:53 PM EDT

A morning start gives you useful time at the destination and keeps the return out of the late evening.

Leave by
12:44 PM EDT
Keeps a same-day return open with about 03h 00m at the destination.
Back in Ithaca
9:30 PM EDT
Morning start is best

You are leaving earlier than the recommended window, which gives you extra margin for breaks and traffic.

Halfway Point

A useful midpoint for breaks, coffee, or meeting in the middle.

Mid-route stop
Otego
NY

Human settlement in Otsego County, New York, United States of America

From Ithaca
75.7 mi
01h 26m
To Schenectady
76.7 mi
01h 26m

Route Weather Snapshot

Check the forecast at both ends before you head out.

Origin
63°F
Thursday

Partly Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 6:00 AM EDT
Wind
2 to 6 mph NE
Destination
56°F
This Afternoon

Sunny

Starts
Thu, Oct 15 1:00 PM EDT
Wind
5 mph E

Driving Route Map

The map below follows the saved road route between Ithaca and Schenectady.

Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions

Step-by-step road directions between Ithaca and Schenectady.

  1. 1

    Start on East Seneca Street

    20 m · 6 sec · East Seneca Street

  2. 2

    Turn right onto North Tioga Street

    99 m · 15 sec · North Tioga Street

  3. 3

    Turn right onto East Buffalo Street

    1267 ft · 39 sec · East Buffalo Street

  4. 4

    Turn right onto Schuyler Place

    814 ft · 28 sec · Schuyler Place

  5. 5

    At the end of the road, turn left onto East State Street

    1.1 mi · 2 min · East State Street

  6. 6

    Continue on Slaterville Road

    11.1 mi · 17 min · Slaterville Road

  7. 7

    Continue on State Highway 79

    15.2 mi · 17 min · State Highway 79

  8. 8

    Continue on Main Street

    3 mi · 4 min · Main Street

  9. 9

    Turn left onto East Main Street

    2670 ft · 45 sec · East Main Street

  10. 10

    Continue on State Highway 206

    10.3 mi · 15 min · State Highway 206

  11. 11

    Continue on Genesee Street

    2466 ft · 44 sec · Genesee Street

  12. 12

    Continue on Washington Street

    1521 ft · 26 sec · Washington Street

  13. 13

    Continue on Coventry Road

    609 ft · 10 sec · Coventry Road

  14. 14

    Continue on State Highway 206

    6.7 mi · 10 min · State Highway 206

  15. 15

    Continue on State Highway 41

    1.3 mi · 2 min · State Highway 41

  16. 16

    Continue on State Highway 206

    6.8 mi · 11 min · State Highway 206

  17. 17

    Continue on West Main Street

    1.5 km · 2 min · West Main Street

  18. 18

    Continue on Demarest Avenue

    651 ft · 12 sec · Demarest Avenue

  19. 19

    Enter the roundabout and take exit 2 toward Demarest Avenue

    31 m · 2 sec · Demarest Avenue

  20. 20

    Exit the roundabout onto Demarest Avenue

    131 m · 7 sec · Demarest Avenue

  21. 21

    Continue on State Highway 206

    780 ft · 18 sec · State Highway 206

  22. 22

    Take the ramp left

    2343 ft · 57 sec

  23. 23

    Merge slight left

    86.9 mi · 1 hr 40 min

  24. 24

    Take the exit slight right toward NY 7: Rotterdam, Schenectady

    1713 ft · 59 sec

  25. 25

    Turn left onto Duanesburg Road

    2.5 mi · 5 min · Duanesburg Road

  26. 26

    Continue on Broadway

    2.4 mi · 6 min · Broadway

  27. 27

    Turn right onto Clinton Street

    1982 ft · 1 min · Clinton Street

  28. 28

    Turn left onto Franklin Street

    80 m · 9 sec · Franklin Street

  29. 29

    Turn right onto Jay Street

    66 m · 6 sec · Jay Street

  30. 30

    Arrive at your destination

    0 m · 1 sec · Jay Street

Car Route Details

A richer read on the saved driving route between Ithaca and Schenectady.

OSRM road route
Drive Character

Highway-focused drive

Most of the mileage stays on named highways, so the important moments are ramps, exits, merges, and the final local approach.

Directions
30 steps
11 turns on the saved route
Ramps & Exits
5
1 merges, 4 ramps or exits
Navigation Density
19.7 / 100 mi
Decision points by distance
Main Roads
State Highway 206
111 mi · 73%
State Highway 79
15.2 mi · 10%
Slaterville Road
11.1 mi · 7%
Main Street
3.03 mi · 2%
Duanesburg Road
2.48 mi · 2%
Broadway
2.44 mi · 2%
Longest Stretch

State Highway 206

Merge slight left

86.9 mi · 01h 40m

Route Summary

A quick read on whether this route feels easy, ambitious, or worth planning around.

Trip Read

A comfortable day-trip route

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

Drive Time
02h 53m
Day trip friendly
Same-Day Return
05h 46m
Round-trip wheel time
Road vs Air
+19.9 mi
132.5 mi direct line
Halfway Stop
Otego
01h 26m from Ithaca
Leave By
12:44 PM EDT
Morning start is best
Weather Watch

Partly Sunny leaving Ithaca and Sunny near Schenectady.

Trip Questions

Direct answers travelers usually want before committing to the drive.

How long does it take to drive from Ithaca to Schenectady?

The road trip is about 152.4 miles (245.2 km) and usually takes 02h 53m in normal driving conditions.

Is this a same-day trip or an overnight route?

This route works well as a day trip. You can leave in the morning, spend meaningful time at the destination, and still return the same day.

What is the halfway point on this route?

Otego is a useful midpoint, sitting about 75.7 miles from Ithaca and 76.7 miles from Schenectady.

How much longer is the road route than the straight-line distance?

The direct path is about 132.5 miles (213.3 km), while the road route adds roughly 19.9 extra miles because roads do not follow the straight air line.

When is the best time to leave for this route?

A good departure window is usually 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM EDT. If you want a more comfortable same-day return, try to leave by 12:44 PM EDT.

How much will gas cost for this route?

Using about 28.3 MPG, regular gas is estimated at $23.93 one way or $47.86 round trip. Estimated CO2 is about 47.8 kg one way.

What should you check before leaving?

Before you leave, expect Partly Sunny around Ithaca and Sunny near Schenectady.

Stop Ideas Near Otego

Useful break, food, and waypoint ideas within about 15 miles of the route midpoint.

Mid-route Guidance
Local place coverage is thin around Otego, so nearby transit and meeting points are shown instead.
Reviewed stop coverage is still thin around this midpoint, so practical transit waypoints are shown on the right.

Transit and Meeting Points

Useful pickup, handoff, or rendezvous points close to Otego.

RAIL

Union Station

79 mi away
321 Main St.
RAIL

Rome station

92 mi away
6599 Martin Street
RAIL

Amsterdam station

100 mi away
Railroad St. & West Main Ave.
RAIL

Schenectady

111 mi away
332 Erie Blvd.

Flight Path Map

This map shows the direct air route between Ithaca and Schenectady. Straight-line distance: 132.53 mi (213.28 km).

Ithaca

#1 Ithaca

City in New York, USA

Population30,981
Coordinates42.4406300, -76.4966100
Altitude125
CountryUnited States
Schenectady

#2 Schenectady

The most populous city in Schenectady County, New York.

Population65,231
Coordinates42.8142400, -73.9395700
Altitude74
CountryUnited States
Start: (-76.496606, 42.440534)
End: Jay Street (-73.939783, 42.814319)

Estimated Travel Time

Distance: 245 km by road

SpeedTime
30 mph (48.3 km/h)05h 04m
40 mph (64.37 km/h)03h 48m
50 mph (80.47 km/h)03h 02m
60 mph (96.56 km/h)02h 32m
70 mph (112.65 km/h)02h 10m
80 mph (129 km/h)01h 54m

Fuel, Round Trip and CO2

Estimated fuel cost and emissions for this route.

One-way fuel
5.38 gal
20.35 L · about $23.93
Round trip
$47.86
10.76 gal · 40.7 L
Estimated CO2
47.8 kg one way
Round trip: 95.6 kg / 211 lb CO2, using regular gasoline.
Fuel$/galOne wayRound trip
Regular gas $4.45 $23.93 $47.86
Mid-grade $4.98 $26.80 $53.61
Premium $5.38 $28.96 $57.91
Diesel $6.51 $35.02 $70.04

Assumes 8.3 L/100 km (about 28.3 MPG). CO2 is an estimate and varies by vehicle, fuel blend, traffic, and terrain.

Prices in New York · Oct 15, 2026

There is no time difference between Ithaca and Schenectady. The current time is 15:33:02.

Distance to Other Cities

How did we calculate? Place names are translated into coordinates. The Haversine formula calculates straight-line distance; driving distance uses road network data.